"Just a short story about my little F.R.O.G..."

I was 20 years old when I got pregnant. It was a good pregnancy up until I was 6 months then I had the morning sickness and it was bad. The doctors put me on bed rest for the last months of my pregnancy.

On July 9th 1995, I gave birth at 4:30 am to a beautiful baby girl. She was called FROG from the first time I saw her. She was green when she out (we all know what she was playing with in my belly) hahaha. During the first 3 months I had a completely healthy child (so I thought). I started noting how she was having a hard time sucking and she startled very easy and this started when she was a week old.

We had a few doctors appointments and our Pediatrician (who is the most amazing MD ever) asked if we could do a scan just to make sure things were going good. As a new mom I believed she was just a little slow and she would catch up (she was 3 months) but I did as the doctor wanted and that is when all the tests began. The night of our test for the CT scan I had received a call from Dr. Bruce Montgomerie our pediatrician asking me to meet him in his office first thing in the morning. I was a single mom, her biological dad left at birth. The next morning I was told about her having Congenital CMV. I was in such denial (I have no idea how I made it home).

My step-father was watching Krystal when I came in and just collapsed. He called my mother and for the first week I was so scared to hold her, I thought I hurt her and it was my entire fault. One morning about 6 days later I walked up to my step. Father and my mom and asked if I could have my baby. (I lived with them.) From that day forward, it has been FROG and FROG MOMMY.

Krystal has been through so much and she is amazing! We have had a lot of trying times some so scary I just can't talk about and others that have changed our life. Krystal has CP, hearing impaired, wears glasses, tube fed, seizures that are being controlled by a great diet and a perfect smile, laugh and heart. Frog is 14 almost 15 and doing very well! She just amazes me everyday. She will be in the Special Olympics for bowling (full help). We are so excited!

I met my husband 7 years ago and he just fell in love with us. We were married 6 years ago and at the wedding he also put a ring on Krystal's finger and 3 months later he had fully adopted her. She loves him so very much and if you look at the photos you can read so much in her eyes. If I can help in anyway with anyone, please email. I love you all and we all have the most amazing angels ever!

Love always, Sharon Caldwell

Parents of God's Angels

There are so many trials that we all go through in life, but did you ever expect a trial in taking care of one of God's angels? So many demands, so many tears, all the anger and confusion.

Not knowing which way to turn as your smiling child just looks up and gives you a look of innocence, not knowing the difference between them and another.

Not walking, talking, and hearing very little-just the look in their eyes tells you they know more than they are expected.

The little giggles and the laughter and songs they sing keep us strong in knowing we have our own personal angel living with us. As we sit and watch day by day the smallest things they do is the biggest reward we could ever dream. The smallest step is a walk around the world, the tiny taste of food is like the largest meal, and a reaction to "Mommy loves you" is a dream come true. Just the laughter and the love our angels bring is a reward for the life that we have brought into this world. The pain we so much want to take away is a trial for us that God has given us in life.

- Submitted by her mother, Sharon